Attorney Richard Stim specialized in small business, copyright, patents, and trademark issues at Nolo. He has authored many books, including Music Law: How to Run Your Band's Business; Patent, Copyright & Trademark: An Intellectual Property Desk Reference; and Profit From Your Idea. Stim regularly answers readers' intellectual property questions at his blog.
Articles By Richard Stim
Applying for a federal trademark has many complications. What are some of the basics of the process?
To obtain a patent, you must ensure that your invention qualifies and then be able to describe it in your application.
You have a great idea and want to make money from it. Getting a patent can help you do that. The first step in getting a patent for your invention (or determining if you even qualify for one) is finding out if someone else already has a patent for your idea. If your invention is already patented, then you are out of luck. The quickest and easiest way to find out is to do an online patent search.
There are several steps to obtaining a patent through the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.
Your company's name or logo is always displayed in a specific color. As you file your trademark application, how do you describe this color to guarantee protection?
When one party to a contract indicates--either through words or actions--that it's not going to perform its contract obligations, the other party can immediately claim a breach of contract. This is sometimes called an anticipatory repudiation (or breach) of contract.
Patent applicants are required to submit patent drawings when such drawings are necessary to understanding the invention. Can these drawings be done yourself, or must you hire a professional service?
You want to show your invention to potential manufacturers distributors. But how can you do so without risking your intellectual property?
In determining fair use, what makes the use of a copyrighted work "transformative"?
How is fair use determined? A court weighs four factors to make its decision.